Weekend Event Will Offer Coaching To Coaches

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Coaches from every level of sports can have a huge impact on the players they’re working with.

And an event Friday in Minneapolis called “A Call to Coaches: Developing Young Men of Character,” will bring many of those leaders together. Tony Porter, a co-founder of “A Call to Men” and a speaker at “A Call to Coaches,” joined the WCCO This Morning show on Thursday to talk about the event along with panelist Aaron Glass.

Porter said about 300 coaches will be on hand for the event, and the entire purpose is to bring together good, responsible men and their responsibility to help develop young men of character.

“Coaches have a special relationship with our young men, our boys,” Porter said. “Boys listen to what coaches say and they have a tremendous influence on how boys think, act and behave.”

“The event is not just for coaches, but also mentors, teachers and clergy members,” Glass said. “Really everyone in the community who is interested in developing young men of character.”

The panel will talk with coaches about how boys go through the socialization process to be young men, experiences with women, how to live a healthy lifestyle and be respectful, the lack of emotional intelligence that currently exists and how it all stifles the growth of boys to men. Porter said it also creates an environment where the respect in women is lacking.

Glass said an emphasis will be on what makes young athletes successful on their playing fields doesn’t necessarily apply to their personal lives. According to some startling statistics, more than three million children are affected by domestic violence every year.

Two of the highlighted guests for the event include current Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Greg Jennings and Minneapolis Public Schools Athletic Director Trent Tucker, who was a standout athlete at the University of Minnesota and NBA champion.

“A Call to Coaches” is Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center.